Lock attachment.



G. SCHLEICI'TER.v

LOCK ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION man MAY 22. 1916.

INVENTOR fiew ejcizle when WITNESSES ATTORNEY a earns no.

GEORGE SCI-ILEICHER, OF IBELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS,

LOCK ATTACHMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 25, 1917.

Application filed May 22, 1916. Serial No. 99,159.

' ments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a lock attach ment, and has for its primary object to provide a simplified and improved means for preventing a key from being turned within the lock.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be used as a safety device to prevent the key from being withdrawn or dropped from the keyhole of the lock to become lost.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an attachment of this character and for these purposes which is of simplified and improved construction, which is inexpensive and easy of manufacture, which is composed of but few readily-assembled parts, which may be readily applied to locks of various sizes and constructions,

which is positive in operation, and which may be evenly actuated to release the key when desired.

With these objects in view, together with others, which will appear as the description form of lock and illustrating the application of a device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken upon line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a key adapted for use in connection with an attachment embodying my invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 4 indicates a door lock of the usual well-known construction, having its casing provided with the usual aperture 5 through which the key 6 may be inserted to actuate the locking tumblers.

Pivoted to the lock casing and preferably beneath and in longitudinal alinement with the keyhole 5, is a key-retaining element or lever 7. This lever is pivoted at 8, and is adapted to swing over and away from the keyhole 5, being provided with a notch 9 having angular walls, as shown, for engagement with the shank or stem of the key 6. The free end of the lever 7 is equipped with a suitable knob 10 to enable the said lever to be readily gripped to be rocked. upon its" pivot.

The key 6 for use in connection with a retaining device of this character, has its shank or stem squared as at 11, and the said squared portion being formed upon that portion of the key stem that projects from the look when the key is. inserted in the keyhole thereof. WVhen the key has been inserted inthe lock and the lever 7 rocked upon its pivot until the notch 9 alines with the opening 5, it is apparent that the squared portion 11 of the key stem will be engaged by the angular walls of the said notch and thus is prevented from being turned. lVhen it is desired to turn the key in the lock, it is but necessary to rock the lever 7 upon its pivot, whereupon the angular walled notch 9 will be disengaged from the squared portion 11 of the key and the latter will be permitted to be turned within the look. I

The keeper member 12 extends transversely of the lock casing a and spanning the lever 7 to limit the movement of the latter, and to cooperate with the locking means to be hereinafter fully detailed for holding the lever 7 in proper key-engaging position. This keeper member comprises preferably a metallic strap, having its ends bent angularly as at 13 to provide feet by which the same may be attached through the elements 14 to the door or woodwork adjacent the lock casing. The legs or feet 13 are of such length as to maintain the body portion of the keeper 12 spaced above thelock casing 4 a distance sufficient to enable the lever 7 to slide freely between the said keeper and easing.

To maintain the lever 7 in such position that its notch 9, will be axially alined with the keyhole 5, a latch 15 is provided. This latch is pivoted at one end as at 16 to the inner face of the keeper 12 and is bent outwardly at its free end as at 17 to provide a lug or projection for engagement within a notch 18 in the uppermost edge of the keeper 12. The length of the latch 15 is such that when engaging the lever 7 upon the rear edge thereof, the said lever will be maintained with its notch alined with the key-hole 5 in the lock casing. When it is desired to re lease the lever 7 from engagement with the key, the latch 15 may be rocked rearwardly upon its pivot, and the said lever will be released and may be freely moved froITeiT gagen ent with the lock key.

From this description, it is apparent that I have provided a simple and efficient means for preventing the key being turned within the look.

It is also obviousthat the lever 7 will prevent the key from becoming accidentally detached from the lock to drop to the floor and become lost.

While the above is a description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that various changes in the minor details of construction may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claim.

What I claim asnew is The combination with a lock and removable key therefor; of a keeper spanning said keeper comprising a narrow metal strip" pivoted at one end to the exterior of said casing below and in vertical alinement with "said keyhole, the upper end of said lever being confined between said keeper and lock casing, the said lever having a notch in one edge adapted to aline with said keyhole when the said lever is in vertical position, a shoulder in the opposite edge of said lever disposed below the upper edge of said keeper, a latch comprising a bar pivoted at one end upon the under surface of said keeper near one end thereof, the said keeper being provided in its upper edge with a notch in register with said shoulder when the lever is in vertical position, and an offset on the free end of said latch adapted to rest in said keeper and against said shoulder.

I In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE SCHLEIGHER. Witnesses:

BEATRICE MANN,

WM. H. PFINGSTEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

